National Library Week celebration brings fun, free books to STC Starr County Campus Library

Former U.S. first lady and librarian Laura Bush once said, “Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers. And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.”

Helping foster that special relationship and use of the library system is very important to South Texas College. And that’s why STC is taking time to celebrate U.S. Library Week on April 17 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its Starr County Campus Library located at 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City.

“Library Week is that time of the year when we stop and appreciate what libraries and librarians have contributed to our schools and communities,” explained Cody Gregg, STC interim dean of library services. “As a community college we offer vast resources that can be used not only by our students, but all community members of all ages. We hope everyone takes this week to learn about all the free resources we offer.”

Activities on April 17 include the showing of “Puss in Boots,” along with a free children’s book giveaway to the first 400 children in attendance and story time from the South Texas Literacy Coalition. Attendees will have the opportunity to register for a community library card or view “Facilitating Crises," an exhibit featuring the mixed media paintings of M.C. Farris. Also, the library will accept canned food and other non-perishable food items in exchange for payment of library fines. The donations will benefit the Food Bank of the Rio Grande Valley.

Admission is free and open to the public. For more information about the event contact Terri Rosalez at 956-488-5822 or visit http://library.southtexascollege.edu/services/programs/Pages/OpenHouse.aspx.

College 'Marathon' Like Event Hopes to Raise Awareness Against Domestic Abuse

Calling all men who love women! Are you man enough to take a stand against sexual and domestic violence? Are you man enough to walk a mile in a woman's shoes to prove it? If so, show your support for the women who support you every day by participating in South Texas College's Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®  Annual Walk on Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at 9 a.m. at STC's Pecan Campus Student Activities Building Courtyard located at 3201 West Pecan Blvd. in McAllen. Admission is free and open to the public.

STC, in partnership with its community sponsor Positive Only Women (POW), is hosting this annual one-mile walk as a unique way to let Valley men show solidarity with women in ending sexual and domestic violence. Participation is free for any willing participant. All participants are encouraged to walk a pre-determined one-mile walk across campus in women's shoes.  The first 100 participants will receive a free tee-shirt and be treated to refreshments upon completion of the walk.

"We are very excited to participate in this year's event," said POW co-founder Giselle Mascarenhas-Villarreal. "It is especially important to me and my POW sisters, who are focused on female empowerment. We hope to empower women to make needed changes in their lives and inspire our Valley men to make a difference by being good role models to their peers and for future generations."

Local College Campus to Hold Community Festival April 17

All community members are invited to South Texas College’s Starr County Campus Community Festival on Tuesday, April 17, 2012. Activities are scheduled throughout the day from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the campus located at 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City. Admission is free and open to community members of all ages.

“The purpose of the festival is to thank the community for its steadfast support for South Texas College and the Starr County Campus,” said Starr County Campus Coordinator Ruben Saenz.

At 10:30 a.m., students and community members are encouraged to meet and visit with Dr. Shirley A. Reed, STC president. She will be on hand at the Student Activities Building to greet attendees.

From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., students from the college’s Nursing and Allied Health Division will provide attendees free blood pressure and heart rate screenings, as well as body mass and weight measurements. STC’s Emergency Medical Technology Program will display a medical emergency evacuation helicopter. At noon, the campus library will show, “Puss in Boots” and provide free refreshments, and sign community members up for library cards. Also at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m., campus tours are available.

Local College Hosts Criminal Justice Career Panel April 11

Are you interested in a career in the criminal justice field? Want to hear from professionals in the field? Join South Texas College’s Student Activities, College Success and Developmental Reading departments for “Career Inspirations Seminar: Criminal Justice.”

The roundtable discussion, which features three successful Starr County residents, takes place on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the college’s Starr County Campus Building E Auditorium located at 142 FM 3167 in Rio Grande City. Admission is free and open to the public.

Participating in the roundtable are 229th Judicial District Judge Ana Lisa Garza, Starr County Assistant District Attorney Melisandra Mendoza and STC Criminal Justice Instructor James Blair. The three will discuss their career pathways and how life experiences motivated them to pursue higher education and work in different paths in the criminal justice field.

For more information contact Joel Correa at jcorrea1us@yahool.com.

Starr County Youth Coalition Observes National Kick Butts Day

Starr County Youth Coalition participated in National Kick Butts Day on March 21st.  It is an event that encourages students of all ages to live tobacco-free lifestyles.  Students were informed on what is really in the tobacco.  Literature on the health consequences of tobacco was disseminated.  Students pictured were among some of the students that pledged to live a tobacco free life.  1200 is the number of people that die every single day in the U.S. from tobacco related issues.  Pictured:  Maria Delgado, Juan M. Cantu, Jose Salas Christopher Flores, Kelly Montalvo, Destiny Raye.


Starr County Community Coalition together with STCADA and Molina Health Care  participated in National Kick Butts Day on March 21st. at Rio Grande City H.S.  It is an event that encourages students of all ages to live tobacco-free lifestyles.  Students were informed on what is really in the tobacco.  Literature on the health consequences of tobacco was disseminated.  Event sponsored in part by Lone Star National Bank. Pictured: Rio Grande City H.S. students breaking the myths about tobacco.

RGCCISD Chance 2B Education Center is proud to announce Graduates

Jessica Maldonado
Jessica Maldonado needed 11 credits to graduate from high school and RGCCISD Chance2B Education Center provided the necessary online courses that enabled her to meet her high school graduation requirements on February 8, 2012.  Jessica Maldonado was raised in a family of four and moved from Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon, MX when she was three years old.  She attended Ringgold Elementary, North Grammar Elementary, Hinojosa Elementary, Ringgold Middle School, and Rio Grande City High School.   Jessica is the first in her family to graduate from high school.  Ms. Maldonado would like to pursue a career in Psychology. She was honored for her achievement on February 23, 2012 at RGCCISD Chance 2B Center.  Congratulations Jessica for your accomplishment and best of luck on your future endeavors.

Juana Toscano
Juana Toscano needed 6 credits to graduate from high school and RGCCISD Chance2B Education Center provided the necessary online courses that enabled her to meet her high school graduation requirements on February 21, 2012.  Juana Toscano was raised in a family of six and moved from Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon, MX when she was eight years old.  She attended Roque Guerra Elementary, Ringgold Middle School, and Rio Grande City High School.  Every summer, she migrated to Lubbock, Texas to work on the cotton fields.  She got married and dropped out of high school seventeen years ago.  She has four children and decided it was time for her to finish high school and pursue a Nursing career.  Juana is the second in her family to graduate from high school.  She was honored for her achievement on February 23, 2012 at RGCCISD Chance 2B Center.  Congratulations Juana for your accomplishment and best of luck on your future endeavors.

Eric G. Alanis
Eric G. Alanis needed 2 credits to graduate from high school and RGCCISD
Chance 2B Education Center provided the necessary online courses that enabled him to meet his high school graduation requirements on March 11, 2012.  Eric G. Alanis was raised in a family of three.  He was born in Bakersfield, California and was raised in Rio Grande City, Texas.  He attended General Sanchez Elementary, Ringgold Middle School, Veterans Middle School, and Rio Grande City High School.   Eric G. Alanis is the second in his family to graduate from high school.  He is interested in pursuing a career in border law enforcement.  He was honored for his achievement on March 11, 2012 at RGCCISD Chance 2B Center.  Congratulations Eric for your accomplishment and best of luck on your future endeavors.

 

Academy set to graduate more than 100 young leaders

South Texas College’s Student Leadership Academy kicked off its spring semester recently. The SLA was launched in fall 2005 and the first graduation was held in May 2006 with 17 graduates. Since then, the number of graduates has grown every year.

“All students are encouraged to join SLA, but there are pre-registration applications to be filled out,” said Armando Ponce, STC coordinator of student activities. “Students have the opportunity to attend leadership workshops given by influential leaders at no cost.

“This is a great tool for students to develop their skills from networking to speech,” he continued. “They can learn in a safe and friendly environment. Our students are the world leaders of tomorrow and at STC we are giving them the skills they need to succeed in their future careers. We are very excited about the academy this spring because we are set to graduate more than 100 students from the program.”

STC’s SLA offers interactive workshops that help students enhance their vocal and speech skills. Students are encouraged to interact with each other and participate in round table discussions.

“Community service is another big focus of the academy,” continued Ponce. “We require participating students to perform at least 20 hours of community service. We have found that once they get that service bug in their blood it is infectious and they end up participating in many more events beyond their time in the program. It’s all about fostering motivation, drive, determination and excellence – values we hope to instill in all STC students.”

Word about the value of the academy has gotten around the college’s campuses and students are excited about the opportunity, even some dual enrollment students.

“I am currently in STC’s Dual Enrollment Medical Science Academy and as someone who is very involved in my high school community at Roma High School, I wanted to participate in this academy to get to know people at STC and learn some new skills,” said 16 year old Melissa Garza. “I really enjoy being a leader and I am very excited about what I will learn. I know it will help me in the future.”